“Cheerfully illustrated… As always, Bulion uses both evocative vocabulary and a variety of poetic forms; these are chosen with care and defined in the backmatter… Engaging and information rich, this is wonderfully well woven.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Abundant scientific information, poetry, and colorful cartoon illustrations…scientific concepts are clearly conveyed, incorporating lively, sometimes icky touches…the enthusiastic tone will help readers find plenty to engage, inform, and intrigue.” —Booklist

“Readers will want to devour the pages… The approachable and accessible verse will make adults and children want to explore the natural world and discover a clutter of spiders…. A fun collection of factual poetry to add to shelves.” —School Library Journal  

“Notes on poetic form are on hand for readers who gravitate to the “A” in their STEAM curriculum, but the verses are also effective as mnemonic devices…teasing wordplay…and wry Gorey-esque bait for the spider grossout fans… Meganck’s digital artwork balances light-hearted cartooning with reliably detailed anatomical drawing.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Book

“Poet Leslie Bulion and illustrator Robert Meganck’s latest collaboration will please fans of their previous collections of science themed poetry. This title…teaches as much as it entertains… Meganck’s whimsical illustrations complement the light-hearted verse. Overall, this is a solid choice for libraries that will enhance both poetry and nonfiction collections.” —School Library Connection   

Leslie Bulion is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble With Rules, and Fatuma’s New Cloth, winner of the African Studies Association’s 2002 Children’s Africana Books. She lives in Connecticut. You can visit  her website here.

Designer and illustrator Robert Meganck is a professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  He has received over 300 regional, national, and international awards for illustration and graphic design work. He lives in Virginia.

“A completely satisfying package… It’s impossible not to warm to herpetology after reading aloud poems… Meganck’s wry cartoons amplify the humor. The backmatter, strong as the main text, serves young readers well but will also spur teachers interested in multidisciplinary units on to new heights… Child readers and educators will find themselves enthralled by short, punchy poems and the science behind them.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Using the same format as Superlative Birds (2019) and Leaf Litter Critters (2018), which never gets old, Bulion pairs jaunty poems with science notes…. The thorough yet equally spirited science notes complement the poems… Once again, Bulion awes—and ewws—readers with facts disguised as fun.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“Delightful… The joyful poems beg to be read aloud… The jaunty illustrations amplify the text’s humor….a fun and informative addition for nature lovers.” —School Library Journal

Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List —National Council of Teachers of English, 2021

Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor —California Reading Association, 2020

Leslie Bulion is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble With Rules, and Fatuma’s New Cloth, winner of the African Studies Association’s 2002 Children’s Africana Books. She lives in Connecticut. You can visit  her website here.

Designer and illustrator Robert Meganck is a professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  He has received over 300 regional, national, and international awards for illustration and graphic design work. He lives in Virginia.

“With characteristic humor and carefully crafted language, poet Bulion offers readers amazing facts about birds of our world…. These engaging poems read aloud beautifully…. Meganck’s digital illustrations reflect the humorous tone…. Excellent resources for further bird study complete this delightful offering. Entertaining and educational, a superlative package.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Fascinating facts… Meganck’s illustrations are one-dimensional and friendly, placing the birds against uncluttered backgrounds while clearly emphasizing the characteristic being highlighted by each poem.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

“A “top of the class” example of combining two different subjects that are approachable and a joy to read. A win for science and English classrooms.” —School Library Journal

“Bulion is an accomplished wordsmith…. Illustration is engrossing, imaginative, instructive, and deftly calibrated to the tone of the text…there’s enough trivia here to stoke middle grade know-it-alls. Even readers who are merely on fact-finding missions, though, will be impressed by the breadth and engagement of Bulion’s chosen poetry forms…. In works such as Superlative Birds, the collaboration of poetry and science invites children of varying reading preferences, learning styles, and worldviews to enter nature study through their own chosen door.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED REVIEW

Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels List —National Council of Teachers of English, 2020

Connecticut Book Award (Finalist, Young Readers: Picture Books) —Connecticut Center for the Book, 2020

Delaware Diamonds (Nominee, 3-5) ―Diamond State Reading Association, 2020-2021

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Intermediate) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2020

Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2021-2022

Leslie Bulion is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble With Rules, and Fatuma’s New Cloth, winner of the African Studies Association’s 2002 Children’s Africana Books. She lives in Connecticut. You can visit  her website here.

Designer and illustrator Robert Meganck is a professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  He has received over 300 regional, national, and international awards for illustration and graphic design work. He lives in Virginia.

“The poems are expertly crafted in a variety of forms (identified in the backmatter). The language is lively and the imagery appropriate. With alliteration, internal rhymes, and careful rhythm, these will be a delight to read aloud and learn…. Meganck’s engaging digital drawings give each creature pop-eyes and attitude…. A delightful, memorable introduction to an unsung ecosystem.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“Bulion stuffs her poems with scientific detail and puts even more into accompanying “science notes.” Meganck’s cartoons strike sillier notes…balancing all of the information Bulion provides with hefty doses of fun.” ―Publishers Weekly

“In this ecological poetry collection, Bulion works her own magic, turning potentially dull life science into zany fun…. An amusing way to get the dirt on food chains.” ―Booklist

“Educational and highly entertaining…rich with cross-curricular teaching opportunities. Meganck’s humorous, digitally rendered cartoon artwork will have readers giggling as they learn.… An excellent find for science fans and teachers alike.” ―School Library Journal

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“A fascinating and funny introduction to the duff or brown food web… Terrific back matter… Bright comic illustrations by Robert Meganck make these critters very appealing while adding to reader’s understanding and make this small book truly enticing.  Fabulous fun, this is a real winner both for the classroom and for young scientists learning on their own.” ―Booklist Reader

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Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award Silver Honor ―California Reading Association, 2018

Moonbeam Children’s Book Award (Silver, Children’s Poetry) ―Independent Publisher, 2018

Alabama Camellia Award (Nominee, Grades 4-5 Non-fiction) ―Alabama Department of Education, 2019-2020

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Junior High) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2019

Leslie Bulion is the author of several children’s books, including Uncharted Waters, The Trouble With Rules, and Fatuma’s New Cloth, winner of the African Studies Association’s 2002 Children’s Africana Books. She lives in Connecticut. You can visit  her website here.

Designer and illustrator Robert Meganck is a professor of illustration, graphic design, digital imaging, and color theory at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.  He has received over 300 regional, national, and international awards for illustration and graphic design work. He lives in Virginia.